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Help Do you have GPS/WIFI/Refresh enabled at all times?

PeaceMaker

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2010
139
2
NJ
I am always conscious of battery lately, this is actually kind of annoying. Its extra work to get the GPS enabled when trying to use google maps. Why can't it just auto enable when one touch? I don't enable all these features (except refresh for push email) bc I'm so paranoid about this darn battery....

Plus, I'm always killing apps. Just want to know what you guys keep running and how your batteries are fairing.
 
I am always conscious of battery lately, this is actually kind of annoying. Its extra work to get the GPS enabled when trying to use google maps. Why can't it just auto enable when one touch? I don't enable all these features (except refresh for push email) bc I'm so paranoid about this darn battery....

Plus, I'm always killing apps. Just want to know what you guys keep running and how your batteries are fairing.
First you need to break in your battery if you haven't done so yet. Run it down until it dies, then charge it overnight fully. Then do the same again at least 1 or 2 more times.

Make sure you download the latest update because there was a battery meter fix. Go to settings>about phone>system updates. Simply lowering the brightness level of the screen may do more than other tweaks you could do.

Don't use app killers especially on auto kill mode. They actually do worse for your battery life.

Personally I keep GPS, WIFI, and Bluetooth disabled until I need them, and have the on/of icons for them on the screen to the left of my home screen. If you use them a lot then it is better to just keep them on. When I have GPS enabled, the Icon only shows up in the top bar when something is using it, so I don't think it's drawing much power.

If you want to know what is killing your battery, go to settings>battery manager. Most likely it will show your display as at least 50% of the draw on your battery.
 
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Why not just have a widget so you can turn them on and off with one press?

First you need to break in your battery if you haven't done so yet. Run it down until it dies, then charge it overnight fully. Then do the same again at least 1 or 2 more times.

Make sure you download the latest update because there was a battery meter fix. Go to settings>about phone>system updates. Simply lowering the brightness level of the screen may do more than other tweaks you could do.

Don't use app killers especially on auto kill mode. They actually do worse for your battery life.

Personally I keep GPS, WIFI, and Bluetooth disabled until I need them, and have the on/of icons for them on the screen to the left of my home screen. If you use them a lot then it is better to just keep them on. When I have GPS enabled, the Icon only shows up in the top bar when something is using it, so I don't think it's drawing much power.

If you want to know what is killing your battery, go to settings>battery manager. Most likely it will show your display as at least 50% of the draw on your battery.
I've done ALL the above except not use ATK. I don't see how this could draw more power when its killing other running apps.

It's just very annoying having to consciously be aware of my battery and worry about whats going on in the background. It's annoying that when I want to search for directions, it prompts me to go to settings, then i have to check off those two options, then go back and wait for signal... why can't you just ask me if i want it on and boom, enabled? make an app for that!

I'm loving my Droid, but I am mildly frustrated with it at the same time.
 
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Luancher pro widget turn on and off B.T WiFi GPS right on screen as you need them. Made my battery and life much better.

I have launcherpro plus... there are no widgets besides People...

i have the power control widget on a screen to turn stuff on and off on the fly--i use it quite requently. Hopefully Froyo fixes many issues... :mad:
 
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I've done ALL the above except not use ATK. I don't see how this could draw more power when its killing other running apps.

It's just very annoying having to consciously be aware of my battery and worry about whats going on in the background. It's annoying that when I want to search for directions, it prompts me to go to settings, then i have to check off those two options, then go back and wait for signal... why can't you just ask me if i want it on and boom, enabled? make an app for that!

I'm loving my Droid, but I am mildly frustrated with it at the same time.



The problem is task killers kill tasks you actually NEED, so when Android has to restart them again it uses more battery then just leaving them running in the background, which uses no battery.



Same with GPS. If you're not using any applications that require it, leaving it on isn't draining your battery behind your back.


I'd suggest going to Settings -> battery settings -> battery use and finding what is using most of your battery.
 
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The problem is task killers kill tasks you actually NEED, so when Android has to restart them again it uses more battery then just leaving them running in the background, which uses no battery.



Same with GPS. If you're not using any applications that require it, leaving it on isn't draining your battery behind your back.


I'd suggest going to Settings -> battery settings -> battery use and finding what is using most of your battery.
I disable apps that I need to use...
 
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I disable apps that I need to use...



Android spawns a process
Task killer kills it
Android respawns it
Task killer kills it
(etc, all day long)


You can see how the above would use more battery than just not using a task killer right?



I'd also bet that turning your screen on and messing with the phone to turn GPS on/off multiple times a day uses more battery than just leaving GPS on.. It's only used by programs that need it, so essentially you're just using more battery by messing with it.
 
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Android spawns a process
Task killer kills it
Android respawns it
Task killer kills it
(etc, all day long)


You can see how the above would use more battery than just not using a task killer right?



I'd also bet that turning your screen on and messing with the phone to turn GPS on/off multiple times a day uses more battery than just leaving GPS on.. It's only used by programs that need it, so essentially you're just using more battery by messing with it.
That makes sense... though I wish there were some proof of both of these.

I think I will test these things out one at a time. I will also take note of which applications keep autostarting and setting them to ignore. Also keep in mind, if an app is running in the background, it will use up memory, which in turn uses some juice.
 
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I've done ALL the above except not use ATK. I don't see how this could draw more power when its killing other running apps.

It's just very annoying having to consciously be aware of my battery and worry about whats going on in the background. It's annoying that when I want to search for directions, it prompts me to go to settings, then i have to check off those two options, then go back and wait for signal... why can't you just ask me if i want it on and boom, enabled? make an app for that!

I'm loving my Droid, but I am mildly frustrated with it at the same time.

quit worrying and buy a car charger or desk charger. I have both and haven't given an once of thought to the battery. Both Moto docks are nice accessories that not only charge your phone but also turns it into another useful device while docked.

If you're not using your phone like a net book it will last the day without a recharge.
 
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I've done that and my battery life plummeted. ATK with screen off autokill went back on the next day.

Then you have an app that isn't letting your phone sleep or is eating power. Figure out what that is and kill IT not it and every other friggn app you have.

And what exactly does "plummeted" mean? How long does it last if you aren't surfing the net all day? If you use it like a net book it will last as long as a net book about 10 to 12 hours if you use it like a phone it last much longer.

I was freaked out when I first got a smart phone becasue I was used to my old phone that lasted 3 days. This isn't one of those. Once I got over it and learned to live with seeing power below 50% it easily lasted the day.

And like I said in my other post I also bought the Car Dock and Multimedia Dock and I don't worry about it at all now and love both docks. My phone is docked right now and it has the Aquarium live background and it looks like a little fish tank on my desk and it's at 100% and will be until I leave.
 
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That makes sense... though I wish there were some proof of both of these.

I think I will test these things out one at a time. I will also take note of which applications keep autostarting and setting them to ignore. Also keep in mind, if an app is running in the background, it will use up memory, which in turn uses some juice.

incorrect. Memory uses the same amount of juice if its empty or full..

Empty memory still gets refreshed just like used memory.
 
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Aren't apps running in the background able to use the GPS? If you get a free ad supported app, most likely it uses Data and GPS to serve you ads. If the GPS is turned off it will stay off but if it is turned on, it will use the GPS to serve you local ads. Does this not also happen in the background if the app is still running? I only turn thing on as I need them usually, with the built in android power widget.
 
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Aren't apps running in the background able to use the GPS? If you get a free ad supported app, most likely it uses Data and GPS to serve you ads. If the GPS is turned off it will stay off but if it is turned on, it will use the GPS to serve you local ads. Does this not also happen in the background if the app is still running? I only turn thing on as I need them usually, with the built in android power widget.

All it would need is your general area to serve you ads, which it could get from your mobile network or wifi also. It also wouldn't need to know your every step or location down to 7 feet so it wouldn't need to constantly be checking your position.

If the satellite icon isn't on I believe your GPS isn't on. Unless I have Google Nav going that icon is usually off unless I do something that needs my location, then it comes on for a short time and goes back off. For example its off now but the first thing that happens when I open Maps is the icon come on for about 10 seconds then turns off. When I open an app that shows me places to eat in my area the icon again comes on to get my position then goes off.
 
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I have launcherpro plus... there are no widgets besides People...

i have the power control widget on a screen to turn stuff on and off on the fly--i use it quite requently. Hopefully Froyo fixes many issues... :mad:
ITs not in the pro plus widgets. Just normal widgets but Launcher pro adds them to the list. Put GPS, WIFI, and Blue tooth littile icon widgets on a screen. When your not in your car or need B/T just click it disable it to save battery same with wi fi etc. That way your phone is not looking all the time for those connections.
 
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